NRHA's product knowledge training
programs for employees are designed
to give store associates the information they need to be productive right from the
start. We offer training programs in core hardware and building materials categories
and it's free to all NRHA members.

House-Hasson hosted its October market earlier this month in Sevierville, Tenn. and it turned out to be a huge success. The market, held Oct. 8-9, saw a nearly 30 percent increase in attendance over 2009.

“Our October market is typically much smaller than our spring and summer events, but even so our attendance of 450 dealers was 100 more than last year,” Don Hasson, company president, said. “Early sales figures show major interest in new product lines.” The increase in attendance was an example of how retailers are adjusting to the changing economy and being more proactive. “That’s not to suggest that the economy is making dramatic improvement,” he added. “Rather, it’s that dealers are adapting to the economic situation by offering their customers a greater product variety and marketing it in more creative ways.”

Many of the retailers were looking for new items that would draw in the D-I-Yers, according to House-Hasson Merchandising Vice President, Allen Winn. “Particularly in the do-it-yourself arena, dealers came to the market looking for new items that respond to customers’ desires to fix up their existing homes because they’re staying put,” Winn said.